THE MOOSE OR ELK. 539 



species may, however, be distinct, although very closely allied to that 

 of Europe. Much confusion exists in the use of both the names Elk and 

 Moose. The animal commonl}' known in America as the Elk is the 

 Wapiti, Ccrvus Canadensis. In Ceylon, Elk designates a large species of 

 deer ; while in Africa, it is applied to an antelope. The true Elk is the 

 Tinimal known in our Northeastern States as Moose. 



THE MOOSE OR ELK. 



The Elk, Alecs palniatus or Alecs nialchis (Plate XLI), has been long 

 known in Europe. Czesar found it in the Black Forest, and several of 

 the later Roman emperors exhibited specimens in their triumphs. In the 

 great German epic, the Nibelungen Lied, the name Elk occurs ; it is 

 applied to an animal found in all parts of Germany, and antlers of elks 

 are often discovered in the woods of Brunswick, Hanover, and Pome- 

 rania. In this last province large herds existed in the sixteenth century. 

 But the decrease has been rapid. In the seventeenth and eighteenth 

 centuries only a few could be found in Saxony and Siberia. A herd has 

 been preserved to the present day in the Royal Forest near Tilsit, which 

 in 1874 numbered seventy-six members. The Elk is now confined in 

 Europe to Norway, Sweden, and Russia. In Asia it extends to the 

 Amoor River, abounding near the Lena and Lake Baikal, ranging north- 

 ward as far as any tree will grow. 



The Moose or Elk is the largest of all the deer tribe, attainmg the 

 extraordinary height of seven feet at the shoulders, thus nearly equaling 

 an ordinary elephant in dimensions. The horns of this animal are very 

 large, and widely palmated at their extremities, their united weight 

 being so great as to excite a feeling of wonder at the ability of the 

 animal to carry so heavy a burden. To support such a load a short and 

 very thick neck is necessary. It does not reach its full development 

 until its fourteenth 3'ear. The muzzle is very large, and is much length- 

 ened in front, so as to impart a most unique expression to the Elk's 

 countenance. The color of the animal is a dark brown, the legs being 

 washed with a yellow hue. Its coat, which is composed of coarse, rough, 

 and brittle hair, rises into a small mane on the nape of the neck, and on 

 the spine. The long black hair under the throat forms a kind of beard, 

 and in the male animal covers a considerable protuberance. Its speed is 

 ve*-'- ^reat, and its endurance wonderful, but the pace is usually a trot. 



